Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A federal report released Sept. 29 shows more than 90 percent of Missouri’s nursing homes were cited for federal health and safety violations in 2007. According to this news report, the numbers were released from the Department of Health and Human Services, which reflected this trend across the country. The problems associated with most nursing homes included nursing home abuse or neglect, errors handling medication and infected bedsores.

In Missouri, the average nursing home had about eight deficiencies in 2007. That is an increase compared to 2005. Also, almost every nursing home in Missouri – about 92 percent – had some type of deficiency or record of violation.

Here’s another interesting finding from the report. Nursing homes, which operated as a for-profit business had more violations than non-profit homes. The Bush administration will start using a five-star program in December to rank the overall quality of care for the country’s nursing homes.

Nursing home negligence and abuse cases are among the most heartbreaking of personal injury cases because in most cases, the vulnerable victims are severely injured or lose their lives because of the negligence or abuse. Our firm will go after unethical nursing homes that give more importance to profits than the people they are supposed to serve.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of nursing home abuse or negligence, please call an experienced Missouri nursing home negligence attorney to discuss your case. Our consultations are free, comprehensive and completely confidential.

Motorcycle accident statistics reveal that approximately 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle crashes every year. Saint Louis, MO has their fair share of motorcycle accidents. Some suggest it is due to the Missouri seasonal weather changes.

Additional important findings include:

1. One-fourth of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents
2. Missouri roadway defects (potholes, for example) account for less than ten percent of accidents, a moderate amount of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes
3. Over 90 percent of motorcycle riders involved in an accident were self-taught and with little experience

A recent motorcycle accident is representative of these factors. It was a single vehicle accident, involving a road defect and an inexperienced motorcyclist. In this Washington motorcycle accident a man was driving his motorcycle with his wife as his passenger. They were traveling on a hard-surfaced portion of the highway when the man decided to pull off on the shoulder. However, he did not realize the road was recently under construction and that the surface was not level.

The man, upon realizing the uneven surface, tried to stop the motorcycle but the surface was covered with loose gravel. When he applied the brake the motorcycle had difficulty coming to a halt and the bike dropped violently to the ground. Both the man and his wife fell along with the bike due to the hazardous roadway.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Accident Injuries Contested by Insurance Company " »

The driver of a big rig who dozed off on Interstate 57 caused a fatal West Frankfort truck accident, which killed two people and seriously injured two others, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Yasmin S. Jackson and Kevetta C. Davis, both 19 and sophomores at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale died in the crash.

The truck driver, who was transporting equipment for rock star Bret Michaels fell asleep at the wheel, crossed over the interstate and slammed into Jackson’s sport utility vehicle and a pickup, officials said.

The driver of the pickup, 63-year-old William B. Wiley and his passenger Colleen N. Wiley, 59, suffered major injuries. The big rig driver, 38-year-old Dennis Hernandez of Lamont, Calif. suffered minor injuries. He was reportedly charged with driving on a suspended license and several other traffic violations.

Continue reading " West Frankfort Truck Accident Kills 2 College Students " »

Lee’s Summit, Missouri is a moderately sized city located in Jackson and Cass Counties. The city’s name is actually a misspelled version of its intended name: Lea’s Summit, after a doctor that once lived and was murdered there by Jayhawkers. Also calling Lee’s Summit home were four members of Jesse James’ famous James-Younger gang. While the violent clashes between Union and Confederate supporters are long since over, the citizens of Lee’s Summit still need representation when the negligence of others results in personal injury.

The Lee’s Summit personal injury attorneys at Page//Cagle have represented those seriously injured in accidents for their entire careers. A large number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms because many law firms simply do not have the time or the resources needed to take on serious injury cases. Whether you were injured in a Lee’s Summit car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident the Missouri vehicle accident attorneys at Page//Cagle will provide the kind of expertise that’s needed to win serious auto accident cases and justly compensate the victims for their injuries.

As Lee’s Summit personal injury lawyers, Page//Cagle, a Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, we have been handling these cases our entire careers. We have successfully and aggressively represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accident cases.

To reach the Missouri tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page//Cagle, 24 hours a day, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover for you. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these difficult times.

A Jackson couple suffered injuries Sept. 21 in a four-car collision in Fruitland on Highway 61, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said. According to an article in the Southeast Missourian, the accident occurred when a 1996 Ford driven by 58-year-old Donald J. Reisenbichler traveling northbound made a left turn into the path of a 2006 Toyota driven by 76-year-old Roy L. Glass.

Reisenbichler allegedly went off the roadway and hit two vehicles that were parked. Glass and his wife, Iverne, suffered moderate injuries and were transported to an area hospital. Reisenbichler was issued a citation for failure to yield. In this case, police have determined that Reisenbichler is at fault for causing this injury auto accident. The party that is negligent and caused the accident is usually held financially liable in an auto accident.

The Missouri auto accident attorneys at Page Law make a practice of representing victims of traffic collisions. We have helped victims obtain compensation, which helps pay for medical expenses, therapy, lost wages and even cost of medication. There are several steps you should take following a car accident. First, you should inform your insurance company about the crash. A police report should be filed if any injuries occur or if your vehicle has been damaged or totaled. Please make sure you immediately receive appropriate medical care if you have sustained injuries.

We would recommend that you also get tested thoroughly for other internal injuries, which sometimes do not surface until days after an accident. Victims of an auto accident who have suffered injuries would be well-advised to contact a St. Louis motor vehicle accident attorney to find out how they can get the best possible result in their case.

A woman was recently killed in a fatal truck accident allegedly caused by a drunk truck driver in North Carolina. The truck driver, who blew a .18, flipped his large truck after hitting an embankment on a local highway. The truck driver was charged with a DWI and felony death by vehicle. No civil charges have been filed.

The trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a federal industry that provides uniform laws for all commercial vehicles traveling between states. The agency was created because large truck accidents continue to rise in number every year and are subject of growing concern, as the damage caused by such incidents are so grave.

A primary area of emphasis for the FMCSA is drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers. The agency not only requires testing prior to being licensed, but also implements continued drug and alcohol testing to prevent possible dangerous situations, such as the accident above that was likely caused by a drunk truck driver.

The following alcohol tests are required:

Continue reading " Fatal Truck Accident Blamed on Alcohol " »

Columbia, Missouri is the county seat of Boone County and the largest city in mid-Missouri. Columbia is well-known both inside and outside Missouri as a college town. Three institutions, the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College contribute to Columbia’s “College Town USA” nickname and status. In fact, over half of the city’s near 100,000 residents have bachelors degrees and over a quarter have graduate degrees. A city so densely packed with college students will invariably lead to personal injuries of all sorts.

The Columbia auto accident attorneys at Page Law have represented the college students of Columbia for their entire careers. We do not believe in simply taking and processing large amounts of cases; rather, we limit the number of cases we accept so that each and every client receives the proper personal attention they deserve. Whether you were injured in a Missouri auto accident, boating accident, or railroad accident the Columbia truck accident lawyers at Page Law will provide the kind of expert representation that wins cases and earns our clients the compensation they need.

The personal injury lawyers at Page Law will be happy to discuss your case with you and answer any and all questions you may have. The consultation is always free. There is no fee unless our Columbia personal injury attorneys recover for the personal injuries you sustained.

We can be reached 24 hours a day at (314) 322-8515. If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these very trying times.

A teenage boy lost his life in a Rolla lawn mower accident when he was thrown from the vehicle. According to an article in The Rolla Daily News, 16-year-old Joshua Curt Frost who was riding the lawn mower, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two other people were riding in a trailer being towed by the lawn mower. One other boy was uninjured and 20-year-old Justin Cook suffered minor injuries.

Police said Frost was operating the MTD Yard Machine riding mower having just left a resident. He was traveling northbound on a downgrade section of County Road 2030 when the lawn mower missed a curve in the road and traveled off the side of the road, the article stated. Frost was ejected from the lawn mower as it fell down an embankment and struck a fence and several small trees.

In these types of accidents, it is very important to look at whether this was a case of a defective lawn mower. In this situation it is a good idea to have the lawn mower inspected for mechanical malfunctions, product defects and other evidence. It is also not clear from this news report whether Frost was on the job or running an errand for someone at the time of the accident.

Product defect lawsuits can be extremely complex because of the extent of investigation they warrant. They also usually involve quite a legal battle with large companies and product manufacturers. It takes a law firm with resources and wrongful death attorneys in Missouri with knowledge and experience to tackle these cases and obtain the best possible results for their clients. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed because of a defective product, please call me or e-mail me to discuss your case.

Springfield, Missouri is a city of over 150,000 residents in Greene County, Missouri. Like many cities in Missouri and surrounding regions, Springfield is the site of many notable historic events. The first of the infamous quick-draw gun dueling battles of the Old West took place in Springfield between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt Jr.

Additionally, Springfield was the site of two Civil War battles, both of which won by the Confederates, and a major rail stop during westward expansion. As a town that was practically forged in violence, Springfield is no stranger to serious and even fatal personal injuries.

Page Law personal injury attorneys in Springfield handle cases in which victims are seriously injured in accidents. A large number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms because many law firms simply do not have the time or the resources needed to take on serious injury cases. Whether you were injured in a Springfield car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident the Missouri vehicle accident attorneys at Page Law will provide the kind of expertise that’s needed to win serious auto accident cases and justly compensate the victims for their injuries.

As personal injury lawyers handling cases in Springfield, Page Law, a Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, has been handling these cases our entire careers. We have successfully and aggressively represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accident cases.

To reach the Springfield tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page//Cagle, 24 hours a day, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover for you. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these difficult times.

New inventions and products replace their outdated counterparts on shelves everyday. Every new product offered to the public is required to go through numerous tests and trials to make sure each is reasonably safe for consumers. Testing can only find so many faults in a product, and years and years of use may reveal that even reasonably safe products can become hazardous with exposure to certain conditions and situations over time.

When a product has been found to be dangerous, the manufacturer is required to remove the product from public outlets and issue a recall to prevent as many injurious situations as possible. In the meantime, however, many consumers may not be aware of the recall and may encounter perilous situations through product use. When a product has injured a customer, he/she may be able to sue for injuries through a products liability claim.

For information about products liability claims visit, http://www.injuredclient.com/lawyer-attorney-1086406.html.

New technologically-advanced products, including electronic devices like global positioning systems (GPS), have recently given rise to product liability issues. Although said items may convenience thousands of users everyday, they can also create dangerous situations.

Continue reading " Faulty GPS Instructions Lead to Product Liability Suits " »

A recent lawsuit stemming from an injury auto accident has been filed against a sheriff’s deputy in Lake County, Illinois. The case involved two squad cars and a resident vehicle. One deputy was driving his squad car behind another deputy; both were in route to investigate a possible trespass incident. The squad car slowed down to pull on the shoulder. A squad car following behind slammed into the first squad car. When the second squad car collided into the first, the first squad car was thrown into oncoming traffic; the first squad car struck an oncoming car driven by the plaintiff.

The plaintiff retained a auto accident attorney in this personal injury lawsuit that primarily alleges negligence. The claim sets forth that the police officer breached a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving, which directly led to the plaintiff sustaining bodily injury. The complaint specifically states the deputy failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to maintain proper control of his squad car. Further, the claim alleges the deputy was driving at a higher rate of speed than was reasonable in the traffic conditions.

In this car accident injury claim, the plaintiff suffered several injuries. Two passengers riding in Plaintiff’s car were also injured and transported to the hospital for immediate medical attention. Additionally, the deputy, allegedly at fault for the car accident, was injured and treated at the hospital. The suit seeks compensation for medical damages and lost wages for the injuries sustained.

Continue reading " Multiple Car Accident Likely the Fault of Police " »

Independence, Missouri is situated in Jackson County, in western Missouri. It is known as the “Queen City of the Trails” for its historical role as the departure point for the Oregon Trail as well as the California and Santa Fe trails. It was also very important historically as the western-most point traversable by steam boat and thus became an important spot for the then-emerging fur trade.

Independence lost its local prestige as nearby Kansas City developed and expanded but remains the county seat for Jackson County. As a county seat, those injured in Jackson County may end up pleading their case in the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence and Page Law will be there to help.

The Independence car accident attorneys at Page Law have represented those seriously injured through the negligence of others for their entire careers. A significant number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms since many law firms are not set up to handle serious injury cases.

Continue reading " Independence Car Accident and Tractor Trailer Crash Lawyers " »

An injured citizen in Connecticut recently sued his township for personal injuries after a trip and fall accident. In this case the plaintiff fell into a moveable dumpster at the town waste transfer station while attempting to discard waste. The man suffered serious injuries from this incident that could have been prevented through routine maintenance in citizen common areas by the city.

The plaintiff claims he tripped and fell because of a broken and separated concrete block near the dumpster. As he approached the platform with trash in hand, he tripped across the concrete block, crashing into the dumpster. The plaintiff filed a claim against the township because the township has a responsibility to him and fellow citizens to make sure that safe premises are maintained throughout the town.

Municipalities owe a duty to their residents. Citizens should not have to tolerate unsafe premises; town common areas ranging from sidewalks to highways should be reasonably safe for travel when used and traveled in a normal (anticipated) manner. When such areas are not maintained in a reasonably safe manner, the city, essentially, is failing to uphold its duty; a breach of duty means the town can be held liable for injuries sustained.

Continue reading " Premises Liability Suit stems from Trip and Fall Accident " »

St. Louis, Missouri is by far the most well-known city in Missouri. The city goes by many nicknames, including “The Gateway City” and “Saint Louis.” The Gateway City’s namesake landmark, The Gateway Arch, is a symbol of the city itself and, including the park surrounding the Arch, also acts as a memorial for several important aspects of American history.

St. Louis is also the site of many national sports teams such as the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams. In a city that draws so many tourists and sports fans, auto accidents and injuries are inevitable.

The St. Louis car accident attorneys at Page Law have represented those seriously injured for their entire careers. We do not believe in simply taking and processing large amounts of cases; rather, we limit the number of cases we accept so that each and every client receives the proper personal attention they deserve.

Continue reading " St. Louis Truck Accident and Car Crash Attorneys " »

If you are involved in a Missouri car accident and cell phone use is proven, the issue will be used as a factor in the car crash. Cell phone use can impair driving ability and even having a phone in your car can be a distraction that can be used as proof of negligence.

For instance, if your phone is ringing, but the phone is not in reach, you may take your eyes off of the road to find your phone, causing a Missouri car accident. Such a basic, everyday occurrence that happens in a split second can drastically change your life and the lives of others.

Several studies have recently been conducted to determine the percentage of drivers using cell phones and the percentage of car accident causes that are the result of cell phone use or distraction. Studies also incorporated states, such as New York, that ban drivers’ handheld cell phone use and note if such regulation has decreased harmful effects.

Studies found, that at some point, about 75 percent of Americans will talk on their phone while driving, and that cell phone use results in a slower reaction time for drivers. This data revealed that drivers using a handheld cell phone are comparable, in reaction time, to a drunk driver.

Continue reading " Missouri Car Accident Liability Proven with Cell Phone Usage " »

According to Coast Guard surveys, the most common reason for on-water accidents, like barge crashes, is barge operator negligence. Miscommunication between crew members has also been noted to increases the risk of maritime crashes. Additionally, poor safety practices and procedures can greatly impact the instances of barge crashes.

A recent barge accident lawsuit was filed after a fatal maritime crash in Louisiana. The barge accident killed six, injured two and caused substantial fiscal damage. The accident occurred when a barge slammed into the high-pressure, underwater gas pipe. The pipe ruptured and caused a deadly explosion, killing and injuring barge employees.

Several personal injury lawsuits were filed after the fatal barge accident. The family members of those killed in the barge accident sued for wrongful death. Injured employees filed for personal injury claims under the Jones Act and even those employees who weren’t physically injured sued for extreme distress and emotional injuries from witnessing coworkers’ deaths.

The barge company filed a motion for summary judgment, saying there was not an issue of material fact at dispute in all of the alleged claims. However, the court disagreed and allowed the issues to be presented to the court. The barge company specifically argued the emotional injury claims and said they were without merit and not compensable under the Jones Act.

Continue reading " Maritime Accident, Explosion Results in 6 Fatalities " »

Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in Missouri. Its impressive 318 square mile footprint sprawls into four different counties: Clay, Jackson, Platte and Cass. Kansas City is officially recognized as the “City of Fountains” and is second only to Rome, Italy in fountains within its city limits.

Kansas City is also known as “Paris of the Plains” as only Paris, France has more boulevards. In such a large city with so many sights to behold it is an unfortunate side effect that personal injuries are as common as a Kansas City fountain or boulevard.

The Kansas City auto accident attorneys at Page Law have been representing the seriously injured for their entire careers. We believe in limiting the number of cases we accept so that every client receives the proper and personal attention he or she deserves. If you were injured in a Kansas dog attack, motorcycle accident, tractor trailer accident or need an attorney to help with your Missouri birth defects, medical malpractice or Jones Act case, the Kansas City auto accident and medical malpractice attorneys at Page Law will provide the resources, advice and representation you need to ensure a positive result in your case.

The Missouri truck accident lawyers at Page Law will be happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. The consultation is free.

We can be reached 24 hours a day at (314) 322-8515. Call John Page personally and he will answer any and all questions or concerns. There is no fee unless you recover for the serious personal injuries you sustained. If you do not want to call or are unable to call, you can email John Page at john@pagecagle.com. We look forward to speaking or corresponding with you and helping you through these difficult times.

A woman suing for an injury sustained in a car accident was recently barred from bringing her personal injury claims in North Carolina. The court initially found insufficiency of process and insufficiency of service of process, but the main reason the court barred the car accident injury claim was because the woman, after attempting to serve process, voluntarily dismissed the action.

Several years later she attempted to re-file the claim, alleging the same negligence action. The court found regardless of process and service of process inadequacies, the statute of limitations had run on the claim, barring the woman’s lawsuit. The woman still appealed her car accident claim, arguing she was the victim of negligence and she had attempted to properly serve process a couple times. She further argued the law should allow her time to perfect her appeal and service of process. (the law does afford plaintiffs time to perfect an appeal in certain situations, however as explained below this is not one)

Each jurisdiction has laws describing the specific elements needed to serve process. Generally, service of process is the means of giving legal notice to a person that a court can exercise jurisdiction over that person in legal proceedings. Service of process involves a summons and other court documents to be served upon the defendant personally. In some circumstances, service of process can be served at the defendant’s home or place of employment and given to a third party, provided that the person is over a certain age and with sound mental capacity.

Continue reading " Car Accident Victim Barred from Suing for Personal Injury Claims " »